I was VERY excited to be picked again to pattern test - this time for someone's first pattern (fair bit of responsibility in that!). Heidi over at Elegance & Elephants is releasing this pattern tomorrow, though she has a giveaway posted (closes at the end of tomorrow) if you want to win a copy of this pattern.
The pattern is called the Ruffle Top, but it's really a top, tunic or dress; depending on your chosen option. The back is actually shown here but I just love this picture trio:
And I was asked to test the Swing Dress version. This is the lovely result:
The dress is a lovely, dressy maxi type dress, with a full skirt (perfectly swishy and swirly). The bodice has a keyhole closure and button at the back, with a kind of frilled cap sleeve and a ribbon tie.
The above shot shows the fullness of the skirt, which is one reason it is pieced onto the bodice (as opposed to the top and tunic styles which are a single front bodice piece). It falls so nicely in a thinner fabric like a voile or lawn.
I used a silvery grey ribbon for the sash, as white made it look a bit too dressy. The button (not pictured) is a similar colour.
All up this pattern is amazing as a first pattern, though Heidi obviously has a lot of sewing and tutorial experience so she is no novice. The design is lovely and with enough features and options to make this interesting enough to make more than once, in different versions and fabrics. I would like to make the tunic version in something about the opposite of this - with a funky modern fabric and perhaps a twill or grosgrain sash-belt. The pattern goes from 18m to size 8, which is a nice range - as the mother of a tall girl I was very frustrated by all the cute patterns which ended at a size 5. I am looking forward to seeing more patterns from E&E in the near future!
I originally wasn't sure I wanted to make madam another dress, but this one is so gorgeous and shows off this great fabric so well I am now very happy I did.
And most importantly, she loves it :)
The pattern is called the Ruffle Top, but it's really a top, tunic or dress; depending on your chosen option. The back is actually shown here but I just love this picture trio:
 |
| Picture from E&E Site: Here |
And I was asked to test the Swing Dress version. This is the lovely result:
The dress is a lovely, dressy maxi type dress, with a full skirt (perfectly swishy and swirly). The bodice has a keyhole closure and button at the back, with a kind of frilled cap sleeve and a ribbon tie.
The above shot shows the fullness of the skirt, which is one reason it is pieced onto the bodice (as opposed to the top and tunic styles which are a single front bodice piece). It falls so nicely in a thinner fabric like a voile or lawn.
I made my version out of a navy/indigo voile with white dandelions on it - amazingly this lovely fabric was from Spotlight. I had to get a little creative with the cutting as I didn't have the requirements in length, but luckily it was a wider bolt so I was able to squeeze it in.
I used a silvery grey ribbon for the sash, as white made it look a bit too dressy. The button (not pictured) is a similar colour.
All up this pattern is amazing as a first pattern, though Heidi obviously has a lot of sewing and tutorial experience so she is no novice. The design is lovely and with enough features and options to make this interesting enough to make more than once, in different versions and fabrics. I would like to make the tunic version in something about the opposite of this - with a funky modern fabric and perhaps a twill or grosgrain sash-belt. The pattern goes from 18m to size 8, which is a nice range - as the mother of a tall girl I was very frustrated by all the cute patterns which ended at a size 5. I am looking forward to seeing more patterns from E&E in the near future!
I originally wasn't sure I wanted to make madam another dress, but this one is so gorgeous and shows off this great fabric so well I am now very happy I did.
And most importantly, she loves it :)
Thank you for your post, Chloe. You did a spectacular job on your dress and I'm so glad your little 'madam' loves it! :)
ReplyDeleteLove love love it - little Miss looks gorgeous in it. I soooooo want to make this - the pattern is too cute.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't she? It is a really great pattern - maybe a future sewalong for us I think a I do want to do the tunic version...
ReplyDelete